A major lighting incident occurred on Monday at the Boorloo Bridge in Perth, Western Australia, prompting authorities to close the structure to pedestrians and cyclists.
A large lighting strip fell from one of the bridge’s pylons, narrowly missing a cyclist on the path below.
The incident, which happened just before 5 pm, led to the immediate closure of the bridge by Main Roads WA, with police present to manage traffic and prevent access.
The fallen light was removed from the pathway and river, but exposed wires remain on the bridge, and officials expect the closure to last overnight as investigations continue.
The Boorloo Bridge, which opened to the public less than a year ago, is known for its state-of-the-art lighting system featuring thousands of LED lights integrated into the bridge’s stay cables.
The falling light strip is part of this high-tech installation, which was designed to create a digital canvas for dynamic lighting displays.
No injuries were reported, but the incident has raised concerns about the safety and maintenance of the bridge’s lighting infrastructure.
The Boorloo Bridge project, also known as the Causeway Footbridge, was a major infrastructure investment for Perth.
The total cost of the bridge was approximately $105 million, with the main construction contract awarded in April 2022 to a consortium of Civmec, Seymour Whyte, and WSP.
Construction began in earnest in late 2023, with all major components — including 16 bridge modules and three feature pylons — installed by August 2024.
The bridge officially opened on December 22, 2024, after about 18 months of active construction.
The bridge’s design includes 17,130 architectural LED light units integrated into the stay cable ducts, allowing for individually controlled lighting effects and dynamic visual displays.
The system also features uplighting on the bridge’s pylons and downlighting projectors to enhance safety and aesthetics.
The lighting was designed to minimise glare and light spill, with special ducts to facilitate future maintenance and LED replacement.
The bridge’s closure has disrupted pedestrian and cyclist access across the Causeway, a key route for commuters and recreational users.
Main Roads WA is investigating the cause of the lighting failure and will assess the safety of the remaining lighting infrastructure before reopening the bridge.
The incident has prompted calls for a review of the bridge’s maintenance protocols and the robustness of its high-tech lighting system.
The bridge’s lighting system is one of the most advanced in Australia, with over 17,000 LED units and sophisticated control systems.
The total project cost included additional funding for water main upgrades, landscaping, and toilet blocks around the bridge.
The bridge was constructed to improve connectivity and safety for pedestrians and cyclists in Perth’s Victoria Park area.
